News Analysis India

Tag: Assam

  • Kokrajhar MP Naba Kumar Sarania declared ineligible for contest

    Nagaon: The Gauhati High Court declared that the present Member of Parliament from the Kokrajhar constituency in Assam, Naba Kumar Sarania, is ineligible to contest elections.

    Sarania was to seek re-election from Kokrajhar. The Gauhati high Court dismissed a petition Sarania challenging a January 12 order of the state-level caste scrutiny committee (SLSC) that cancelled the Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate issued to him in 2011.

    Sarania, a former militant turned politician, is a two-term Lok Sabha member from Kokrajhar. Kokrajhar is due to vote on May 7.Justice SK Medhi said the court didn’t find any “illegality or impropriety” in the SLSC order that quashed Sarania’s ST (Plains) certificate through a reasoned order.”There is not even an iota of evidence or material brought on record by the petitioner at any stage of the proceedings which are prior to the year 2011 pertaining to his claim to belonging to ST(P),” the court observed.

    Sarania has served as an independent candidate and later formed the Gana Suraksha Party in 2014.

    The court noted that Sarania’s father, who was in government service, also never claimed to be from the Bodo/Bodo Kachari community.

  • lok sabha: Lok Sabha battle: BJP’s Sarbananda Sonowal eyes victory in Dibrugarh as Assam heads to polls in first phase

    As the vibrant Bihu festival lights up the spirit of Assam, the buzz of electoral politics resonates just as strongly through the streets of Dibrugarh.

    This key parliamentary seat is grabbing headlines as it prepares for the polls on April 19, part of the first phase of elections in the state.

    Dibrugarh is especially under the spotlight with Sarbananda Sonowal, the BJP’s high-profile candidate and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, throwing his hat into the ring. Speaking to during his hectic campaign trail, the senior BJP leader said, “I am blessed to be given the opportunity by the party to contest as the BJP candidate for the prestigious Dibrugarh constituency. I convey my sincere thanks to the party leadership–Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Party President JP Nadda, and Home Minister Amit Shah–for their faith in me.”

    “Given the good work done by the Narendra Modi government for the people of Assam, especially for those in the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency since 2014, I am very confident that people will repose their faith in the leadership of Modi ji as we move ahead towards becoming a Viksit Bharat,” the BJP candidate and Rajya Sabha MP said.

    The BJP, which first came to power in the state in 2016 with Sonowal as the Chief Minister, has been exuding confidence as its main rival, Congress, leads an alliance of opposition parties, including Asom Jatiyo Parishad (AJP). Although Congress is the main opposition in the state, the party decided not to contest its once stronghold, handing it over to its alliance partner, AJP. “Wherever I go campaigning for the BJP, I am accorded immense love and adulation from the people, who have deep faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. It is this pure admiration of the people for Modi ji’s leadership that gives me confidence that the BJP-led NDA will win 12 plus seats in Assam, 22 plus seats in the Northeast, and 400 plus seats in the country. To most voters, it is a foregone conclusion that Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term,” Sonowal said.

    The Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency is all set to witness a triangular fight, between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Manoj Dhanowar. However, the main contest is seen between the BJP’s Sarbanda Sonowal and Lurinjyoti Gogoi of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP).

    Both Gogoi and Sonowal are former leaders of the All Assam Students Union (AASU). Gogoi’s name came into prominence during the anti-CAA protests in Assam in 2019.

    With more than 1.6 million voters, the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat covers two administrative districts, including Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. It comprises ten Legislative Assembly constituencies: Margherita, Digboi, Makum, Tinsukia, Chabua, Lahowal, Dibrugarh, Khowang, Duliajan, Tingkhong, and Naharkatia.

    In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s Rameswar Teli won with 659,583 votes, defeating the Congress’ Paban Singh Ghatowar by a margin of 364,566 votes.

    Assam has 14 Lok Sabha seats where the BJP is contesting 11 seats, while its ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), is contesting in two seats, Barpeta and Dhubri, and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) is contesting on the Kokrajhar seat.

    The Congress, as the main opposition party in the state, is contesting from 12 seats but is supporting their ally AJP in Dibrugarh. AAP, which is a relatively new party in the state, is contesting the Sonitpur and Dibrugarh seats.

    The election for the 14 seats in Assam is scheduled to be held over three phases.

    The first phase includes five constituencies from Upper Assam: Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, and Sonitpur. Except for Dibrugarh, the BJP is in direct contest with the Congress.

    The second phase on April 26 will cover the Lok Sabha constituencies of Karimganj, Silchar, Diphu, Darrang-Udalguri, and Nagaon, while the third phase will include Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, and Dhubri seats.

  • Spy Cam, Phones Found In Separatist Leader Amritpal Singh’s Cell In Assam Jail Breach; Waris Panjab De Alleges Conspiracy |

    In a concerning development and security breach incident, several unauthorised activities were detected in the National Security Act (NSA) cell in which separatist leader and Waris Panjab De chief Amritpal Singh is lodged at the highly secure Dibrugarh Jail. The director general of Assam Police, GP Singh, took to his X social media handle to confirm the breach.

    The DGP said that a search operation led to the recovery of numerous unauthorised items, including a spy camera, a smartphone, a keypad phone, pen drives, Bluetooth headphones and speakers, a smartwatch, among others from the NSA cell. He stated further that all the recovered items were lawfully seized by the jail staff and the source of these items was currently under investigation.

    “Reference NSA detenues at Dibrugarh Jail, Assam – On receipt of information about unauthorised activities taking place in the NSA cell, additional CCTV cameras were installed in the public area of the NSA block. Inputs received confirmed unauthorised activities, based on which Jail staff searched the premises of NSA Cell early this morning, leading to the recovery of a smartphone with a SIM card, a keypad phone, a TV remote with a keyboard, a spy-cam pen, pen drives, Bluetooth headphones & speakers and a smart watch, which were lawfully seized by Jail staff. The source of these unauthorised articles and mode of induction are being ascertained. Further lawful action is being taken and steps are being taken to prevent recurrence,” the Assam DGP said.

    Reference NSA detenues at Dibrugarh Jail, Assam – On receipt of Information about unauthorised activities taking place in NSA cell, additional CCTV cameras were installed in public area of NSA Block. Inputs received confirmed unauthorised activities, based on which Jail staff… pic.twitter.com/Iwf5kWOeXN
    — GP Singh (@gpsinghips) February 17, 2024

    On the other hand, Waris Panjab De lawyer Imaan Sngh Khara alleged conspiracy. He alleged that a spy cam was fitted inside the washroom of Amriptal Singh’s cell and the footage might be being sent to the state or central government. Khara alleged that the nude/semi-nude pic of Amritpal Singh may be used to blackmail him after the NSA ends next month. The lawyer also alleged that if a spycam could be fitted in the jail washroom, then Singh could be poisoned as well. Khara urged the Punjab government to raise the issue with the Assam government.

    ਦੂਜੀ ਵਾਰ ਫਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਡਿਬਰੂਗੜ੍ਹ(ਅਸਾਮ) ਵਿਖੇ ‘ਵਾਰਿਸ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ’ ਜਥੇਬੰਦੀ ਦੇ ਆਗੂ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਨੇ ਭੁੱਖ ਹੜਤਾਲ਼। (1/2)#warisPanjabDe #sikh #kaum #punjab #history pic.twitter.com/TQNBXh1fDQ
    — Adv Imaan singh khara (@advimaankhara) February 17, 2024

    In April of last year, Punjab Police arrested Amritpal Singh after a manhunt straddling states and spanning several months. He was later brought to Dibrugarh jail. Nine of Amritpal’s close aides, including Papalpreet Singh and Daljeet Singh Kalsi, are also in the same jail. Dibrugarh Central Jail is considered the most secure prison in the state and one of the oldest correctional facilities in the Northeast.

  • Nyay Yatra during Ram Mandir Pranpratishtha is a conspiracy to create communal tension: Assam CM

    Nyay Yatra during Ram Mandir Pranpratishtha is a conspiracy to create communal tension: Assam CM

  • Rahul Gandhi asked not to hold street-corner meeting and padyatra in Assam’s Morigaon

    Morigaon (Assam): Morigaon district commissioner on Monday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to refrain from holding a street-corner meeting and a padayatra as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as miscreants may try to disrupt peace and tranquility in the district. “On the basis of intelligence inputs, the district administration apprehends the involvement of miscreants who may try to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the district by indulging in anti-social activities taking advantage of two major events happening on the same day – The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the Ram Lalla Pran Pratistha – simultaneously”, district commissioner Devashis Sarma said in a letter to the Congress functionaries.

    ”In the interest of Rahul Gandhi’s safety and security, who is a ‘Z plus’ protectee along with our responsibility to avert any probable law and order disruption in Morigaon district, we request that the party refrains from proposed street-corner meeting at the Bihutoli police point and padyatra from the Srimanta Sankardeva Chowk in Morigaon town”, the letter said.

    Earlier in the day, Gandhi was barred from visiting the birthplace of iconic Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva.

  • No nod sought: CM Sarma on Congress charge that BJP govt trying to block Yatra in Assam

    Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the state government hasn’t been approached for necessary permission for Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

    Sarma told media persons here: “There is no harm in giving permission as the state government always welcomes tourists. However, rally cannot be allowed through school premises and Guwahati city. The rally can move through highways.”

    The yatra is scheduled to commence from Imphal on January 14 and then enter Assam on january 18.On Wednesday, Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah had alleged that BJP-led government was trying to block the yatra in the state.

    “In Jorhat, we have not been granted permission to use a field to park our containers. We have not been given ROROs to travel across the Brahmaputra River to Majuli island,” he said.

    Responding to the charge, Sarma said, “I asked the chief secretary if permission has been sought… But I have been told that no such process has been followed.”

  • Congress MP Gogoi pushes for caste census in Assam on lines of Bihar, Rajasthan

    By ANI

    GUWAHATI: Following Bihar and Rajasthan, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday pushed for a similar caste-based census in Assam so that all backward communities in the state receive “dignity” and “justice”.

    “Yesterday I was at a function organised by a prominent Tai Ahom youth organisation. I demanded a caste census in Assam on the lines of the Bihar and Rajasthan model. We need to ensure that the SC, ST, OBC and minority communities receive dignity and justice,” Gogoi said in a post on ‘X’.

    Gogoi also shared a post by the Assam Congress which had a video of him pushing for a caste-based census in the state while giving a public speech at General Field in Assam’s Golaghat.

    “MP @GauravGogoiAsm dangoria delivered an inspiring & invigorating speech at “General Field”, Golaghat on the occasion of 7th annual convention of TAIPA central committee,” the Assam Congress said in a post on ‘X’.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday announced that the state will conduct a caste-based census like in Bihar. Gehlot spoke to the media after a state party meeting in Jaipur on Friday.

    “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the caste census system in the Raipur session of Congress, and we will do it here on the basis of the same. Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste census like Bihar. We will take the concept that there should be participation of the people as per their population. Instructions will be given to conducting caste-based census on the lines of Bihar,” CM Gehlot said.

    The report of the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar was released on October 2 by the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government. The Congress is an ally of the government in Bihar.

    ALSO READ | Caste census will not divide society: Siddaramaiah

    Asserting the importance of a Caste-based census, Ashok Gehlot said, “When we talk about social security, it can be implemented only when we know what the situation is caste-wise. There are different castes living in the country who do different jobs, when we know how much population each caste has, then we can make special schemes for them.”

    Earlier in Chhattisgarh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday asserted if Congress is re-elected to power in the state, a caste census will be conducted in the state, similar to the one carried out in Bihar. 

    GUWAHATI: Following Bihar and Rajasthan, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday pushed for a similar caste-based census in Assam so that all backward communities in the state receive “dignity” and “justice”.

    “Yesterday I was at a function organised by a prominent Tai Ahom youth organisation. I demanded a caste census in Assam on the lines of the Bihar and Rajasthan model. We need to ensure that the SC, ST, OBC and minority communities receive dignity and justice,” Gogoi said in a post on ‘X’.

    Gogoi also shared a post by the Assam Congress which had a video of him pushing for a caste-based census in the state while giving a public speech at General Field in Assam’s Golaghat.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “MP @GauravGogoiAsm dangoria delivered an inspiring & invigorating speech at “General Field”, Golaghat on the occasion of 7th annual convention of TAIPA central committee,” the Assam Congress said in a post on ‘X’.

    Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday announced that the state will conduct a caste-based census like in Bihar. Gehlot spoke to the media after a state party meeting in Jaipur on Friday.

    “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the caste census system in the Raipur session of Congress, and we will do it here on the basis of the same. Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste census like Bihar. We will take the concept that there should be participation of the people as per their population. Instructions will be given to conducting caste-based census on the lines of Bihar,” CM Gehlot said.

    The report of the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar was released on October 2 by the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government. The Congress is an ally of the government in Bihar.

    ALSO READ | Caste census will not divide society: Siddaramaiah

    Asserting the importance of a Caste-based census, Ashok Gehlot said, “When we talk about social security, it can be implemented only when we know what the situation is caste-wise. There are different castes living in the country who do different jobs, when we know how much population each caste has, then we can make special schemes for them.”

    Earlier in Chhattisgarh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday asserted if Congress is re-elected to power in the state, a caste census will be conducted in the state, similar to the one carried out in Bihar. 

  • AFSPA extended in four districts of Assam, withdrawn from four others

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: The Assam Police on Sunday said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA has been extended in four districts of the state for six more months.

    At the Assam Police Day 2023 celebrations here, DGP Gyanendra Pratap Singh said the ‘disturbed area’ tag, which allows enforcement of the AFSPA, has, however, been withdrawn from four other districts.

    “From today, only four districts in Assam will have AFSPA. These are Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Charaideo,” he said.

    The AFSPA has been withdrawn from Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao with effect from October 1, Singh said.

    The Assam government had last extended the ‘disturbed area’ notification under the AFSPA for another six months with effect from April 1 in these eight districts.

    The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant, besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the forces if they shoot someone dead.

    GUWAHATI: The Assam Police on Sunday said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA has been extended in four districts of the state for six more months.

    At the Assam Police Day 2023 celebrations here, DGP Gyanendra Pratap Singh said the ‘disturbed area’ tag, which allows enforcement of the AFSPA, has, however, been withdrawn from four other districts.

    “From today, only four districts in Assam will have AFSPA. These are Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar and Charaideo,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The AFSPA has been withdrawn from Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao with effect from October 1, Singh said.

    The Assam government had last extended the ‘disturbed area’ notification under the AFSPA for another six months with effect from April 1 in these eight districts.

    The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant, besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the forces if they shoot someone dead.

  • Heatwave: 22 children faint during I-Day event in Assam

    By IANS

    GUWAHATI: Due to heat, at least 22 children fainted during an Independence Day parade celebration in Assam’s Morigaon district on Tuesday.

    According to an official of district administration, the children were participating in the parade march when the incident happened.

    The children were overcome by the severe heat and succumbed to dizziness as the chief guest of the event, District Commissioner Devashish Sharma, was speaking.

    All of the affected students were quickly admitted to the Morigaon civil hospital.

    An officer told IANS: “The students are currently receiving additional treatment and are said to be in a stable condition.”

    Meanwhile, the parents alleged that ambulances were not available and most of the children were rushed to the hospital by them.

    As per accounts, there was lack of proper arrangements including the absence of facilities for participants to cool off and drink water in order to face the heat wave.

    GUWAHATI: Due to heat, at least 22 children fainted during an Independence Day parade celebration in Assam’s Morigaon district on Tuesday.

    According to an official of district administration, the children were participating in the parade march when the incident happened.

    The children were overcome by the severe heat and succumbed to dizziness as the chief guest of the event, District Commissioner Devashish Sharma, was speaking.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    All of the affected students were quickly admitted to the Morigaon civil hospital.

    An officer told IANS: “The students are currently receiving additional treatment and are said to be in a stable condition.”

    Meanwhile, the parents alleged that ambulances were not available and most of the children were rushed to the hospital by them.

    As per accounts, there was lack of proper arrangements including the absence of facilities for participants to cool off and drink water in order to face the heat wave.

  • Assam: Four die while cleaning tank in illicit liquor-making unit 

    By PTI

    TINSUKIA: Four people died allegedly due to asphyxiation while cleaning a tank used for illicit liquor production in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Thursday, police said.

    According to the police, the deceased included the 70-year-old owner of the liquor-making unit and his son.

    The incident took place at Tipuk under Talap police station when the four entered the tank for periodic cleaning.

    “The large tank was utilized for melting treated jaggery, a key step in the production of country liquor,” an official said.

    He said it is suspected that some noxious gas inside the tank led to their suffocation and subsequent death, but the actual reason will be known after the post-mortem examination report is available.

    The deceased were identified as unit owner Ramprasad Rai, his 40-year-old son Patgiri and two laborers – Jagdish Gwala (40) and Pukla Kisan (38).

    “Ramprasad Rai has long been involved in the production of illicit alcohol and used to operate secretly in the region. Despite repeated dismantling of his illegal distillery by the police and excise department, he managed to resurface every time,” the official said.

    A detailed and thorough police investigation is on to ascertain the sequence of events leading to the death of the four people, he added.

    READ MORE: Manual scavenging: Govts told to spread awareness

    TINSUKIA: Four people died allegedly due to asphyxiation while cleaning a tank used for illicit liquor production in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Thursday, police said.

    According to the police, the deceased included the 70-year-old owner of the liquor-making unit and his son.

    The incident took place at Tipuk under Talap police station when the four entered the tank for periodic cleaning.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The large tank was utilized for melting treated jaggery, a key step in the production of country liquor,” an official said.

    He said it is suspected that some noxious gas inside the tank led to their suffocation and subsequent death, but the actual reason will be known after the post-mortem examination report is available.

    The deceased were identified as unit owner Ramprasad Rai, his 40-year-old son Patgiri and two laborers – Jagdish Gwala (40) and Pukla Kisan (38).

    “Ramprasad Rai has long been involved in the production of illicit alcohol and used to operate secretly in the region. Despite repeated dismantling of his illegal distillery by the police and excise department, he managed to resurface every time,” the official said.

    A detailed and thorough police investigation is on to ascertain the sequence of events leading to the death of the four people, he added.

    READ MORE: Manual scavenging: Govts told to spread awareness